A proof-of-concept study for the assimilation of satellite altimeter wave period to improve operational ocean wave forecasts

该项目是一项概念验证性研究，旨在评估卫星高度计波浪周期测量改进数值海浪模型预报的能力。海浪周期的准确预测对于海上和海上结构物的设计和海上作业(如航运、渔业、电缆铺设、近海石油勘探)的安全至关重要。从卫星高度计提取波周期信息是几年前由南安普敦国家海洋学中心为Topex高度计开发的一项开创性技术。在这里，我们与法国业务天气预报机构Meteo-France联手，确定这些信息是否有助于改善海洋天气预报。法国气象局目前在将来自卫星的风浪信息与数值模式相结合以改进业务预报方面处于世界领先地位。为了达到这一目标，将为Jason 1和ENVISAT Ra2高度计开发新的波周期算法。该项目还将根据高度计、模型输出和系泊浮标之间的新的三重配置，使用尚未用于开发经验算法或同化的浮标和高度计数据，评估高度计和模型波周期结果在不同环境条件下的有效性。

This project is a proof-of-concept study aimed at assessing the ability of satellite altimeter wave period measurements to improve the forecasts of numerical ocean wave models. Good predictions of ocean wave period are extremely important for the design of sea-going and offshore structures and to ensure the safety of operations at sea (e.g. shipping, fisheries, cable laying, offshore oil exploration). Retrieving wave period information from satellite altimeters is a pioneering technique developed a few years ago by the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton for the Topex altimeter. Here, we join forces with the French operational weather forecasting agency, Meteo-France, to determine whether this information can help improve ocean weather forecasting. Meteo-France is currenlty the world-leader in combining wind and wave information from satellites with numerical models to improve operational forecasts. In order to reach this goal, new wave period algorithms for Jason 1 and ENVISAT RA2 altimeters will be developed. The project will also assess the validity of the altimeter and model wave period results in different environmental conditions based on new triple collocations between altimeters, model output and moored buoys, using buoys and altimeter data not already used for the development of the empirical algorithms or for assimilation.